Secret Wife, Real Billionaire

Chapter 174 He can walk!

“A marriage alliance…” Vivian muttered, her voice trailing off.

The news had caught her completely off guard.

Catherine’s satisfied grin grew wider as she saw the shock etched on Vivian’s face.

“Miss Lambert, do you still see yourself as the other woman? Are you ready to be outplayed by someone so cunning?”

“Why are you telling me this?” Vivian quickly regained her composure. “You’re with Andrew. We both understand his connection to Marcelo. If I marry into the King family, the Lamberts will support Marcelo. That can’t be good for you.”

It didn’t make sense for Catherine to be helping her.

Catherine just shrugged. “I can’t stand watching that Renee enjoy a good life. Isn’t that reason enoug

The birthday ceremony then began. Paul had two sons and a daughter. Today, his daughter was notably absent. She was the family’s outcast, having married young and moved abroad with her husband. She had almost cut all ties with the Kings.

Renee vaguely recalled that she had been close to Marcelo’s late father.

Andrew and his parents took turns offering their congratulations on stage, but Marcelo stayed away. Nevertheless, the guests remained effusive and flattering to Marcelo after the ceremony.

Renee, not one for such superficial business interactions, was standing next to Marcelo when she overheard a

know?” curly–haired man in his thirties ask, “Who was playing the violin earlier? Do you

“No, but Drew’s girlfriend is quite the violinist. She’s probably the one,” his friend suggested.

“The lady in the red dress?” the man with curly hair inquired, his curiosity piqued.

Upon getting a nod, he made a beeline towards Catherine. “Ma’am, your violin performance was breathtaking! I’ve never heard that piece before. Did you compose it?” His excitement was palpable as he handed her his business card. “I’m Gerardo Lyons. Are you interested for a collaboration?”

Catherine was momentarily speechless. Gerardo Lyons was a big name in music production, renowned for turning artists into stars. His productions invariably climbed the charts. Beyond his professional prowess, he hailed from a distinguished family, bringing with him a wealth of resources. For Catherine, he was the dream collaborator she had always hoped for.

“Yes! I’m definitely interested!” she responded eagerly. Collaborating with Gerardo could be her ticket to stardom.

Gerardo’s enthusiastic praise drew the attention of many nearby guests.

Andrew, overhearing the conversation, wondered when Catherine had learned to play the violin. But seeing the admiration in everyone’s eyes, he decided to hold his questions for now.

“But I missed a few seconds of the performance,” Gerardo admitted. Trying to recall the melody, he hummed. “Yes, that’s it. You’ve got a great ear!” Catherine agreed, though she hadn’t actually heard the music herself.

Gerardo paused, his head tilted in thought. Something didn’t quite add up. His humming didn’t seem as fluid as the music he had heard earlier.

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Just then, Jason, who happened to be passing by, chimed in “Gerardo, the music you enjoyed in the yard came from the second floor. This lady has been here in the hall the whole time. You’ve mistaken her for someone else.”

Realization dawned on Gerardo. That was right! He turned to the woman before him, noticing her sudden fluster. She opened her mouth to speak but seemed at a loss for words.

Feeling duped, Gerardo’s tone became accusing. “Oh, I remember you. Weren’t you in that talent show? There’s no way you could have played the music I heard earlier with your musical skills.” His expression said i. all, verging on calling her out on her audacity.

“I…I can explain, Mr. Lyons!“Catherine stammered, panic–stricken. She knew she had just offended Gerardo.

Laughter broke out from the surrounding crowd. “I heard that girl from the Hudson family got kicked out of university for her poor attitude and performance. Looks like it’s true.”

The whispers grew, speculating on her being expelled so soon after enrollment for such impersonati

Andrew, face set in a stern expression, glared at Catherine and swiftly turned away. “Don’t follow me! commanded.

His disgust was evident. Even the baby she carried couldn’t make him stay.

Gerardo, ignoring Catherine, turned back to Jason, insisting on finding out who had played the violin.

Catherine was left standing in an awkward silence. Hushed whispers filled the air around her.

“I can’t fathom why Andrew’s still with her,” someone muttered.

“Maybe she’s got some tricks in bed,” another voice suggested, a hint of mockery in their tone.

A wave of anger washed over Catherine. Then, a thought struck her – Renee had followed Marcelo upstairs earlier!

Renee, again.

Why did it always have to be Renee?!

Meanwhile, Renee, feeling out of place next to Marcelo, whispered, “I think I’ll go find Damian.”

“Why him?“Marcelo asked, a hint of displeasure in his voice.

puzzled. Because she got along well

so possessive. Everyone knows she’s

pondered for a moment. He knew Damian well enough and realized he couldn’t keep Renee away from

just

so paranoid

ahead,” he said, affectionately

some mercy on Damian, Renee, “Wyatt said with

grinned, waving as she left. “For you, Wyatt,

surprised glances. When had Renee become so close with Wyatt that she could

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the hall to join Damian and others in the side hall,Vivian called out to her.

been observing Renee and Marcelo for a while, waiting for a moment when

glanced at Vivian

path. “I know the truth,” she said bluntly. “You married Marcelo not out of love, but because your family

squinting slightly at

a great secret. “It’s all because of the Hudso arrangement. And you,” she continued. “You’re not even the Hudson

u King families‘

she asked coolly. “Does that change the fact that I’m his

to Renee’s words. Renee had married Marcelo, but the

Hudson, do you know why Marcelo didn’t ask me to call you my sister–in–law?“Vivian taunted. Renee replied with disinterest, “I

would have rather stayed with Marcelo, enduring his

finished speaking, why don’t you step out

by Renee’s words. Frustrated and angry, she changed tactics. “I too have a marriage arrangement with the King family!” she

feeling as if the world had gone silent except for Vivian’s words, echoing

me, a woman bound by another arrangement, call

took a moment to process this. “You and Marcelo were arranged to be married?” she finally asked, disbelief in her voice. She quickly dismissed the idea. “Impossible. How can

if the negative rumors about me have vanished. You thought you could outwit me. I told you, once I tell Marcelo about it, he’ll always take care of anything

face lost all

it had been changed to Marcelo at the last minute. A troubling thought crossed

ruined the bond that might have existed between

out

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glaring at Renee, she whispered something only they could hear, pretending to talk to herself, “Be careful with those champagne glasses. They

standing near a towering seven–ter

Catherine made her move. She feigned a slip, bumping into

“Watch out!” someone yelled.

tower of glasses cascaded towards Rence, all

hide

to her head with his suit jacket and the other to wrap Renee in a protective embrace, shielding her from

glasses filled the air

woman he held was mostly

fell over

Marcelo’s legs. She lifted her gaze

but couldn’t finish as

he stood up!”

school. He doesn’t look like

could this be

buzzed with

shock. The incident

aware of the true situation, appeared

Marcelo’s hand. Her voice quivered as

you…How could you….why…” she hesitated, wondering why

watch my wife get hurt?” He retorted. He quickly turned his attention to Renee, asking with

She took a

her back. He couldn’t help but

chuckle.

loud, was for her ears only. “This look of yours,

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to even decide how to react

and trembling, carried

if he was shocked, happy, or

his family members stared intently at Marcelo, as if

up slowly, his eyes scanning the room before resting on

corner.

ten minutes,” he instructed the staff member who was cleaning

room grasped his motive. He was determined to find out who was

Your legs…“Gary exclaimed, a mix of shock and skepticism in his voice. “Have

owe no one any explanation as to how I can walk right now.And I think you all can focus on that later.For now,I need to know who tried

crowd was still

was visibly disturbed,

Marcelo can walk?

How?

When?